Minister announces roads boost

A senior Government minister was expected in Poulton today to announce more than £800m of investment in the region’s roads.

Minister without portfolio Grant Shapps is due to announce the funding, which is part of £15bn to be spent in the UK, at the Shell service station on Garstang Road this morning.

The North West will benefit from nine new schemes worth around £800 million, creating an estimated 600 construction jobs.

Plans include already started improvements to junction 2 of the M55 as well as work on the M6, M60 and M56.

Transport minister Patrick McLoughlin said: “Today I am setting out the biggest, boldest and most far-reaching roads programme for decades.

“It will dramatically improve the network and unlock Britain’s economic potential. Roads are key to our nation’s prosperity. For too long they have suffered from under-investment.

“This government has a long term plan to secure the country’s future and this £15 billion roads programme is demonstration of that.

“It will directly benefit hardworking families across the North West.”

“This is the biggest investment in roads in a generation and will transform infrastructure in the North West including the Trans-Pennine route which includes the A66 and A69.”

Chairman of the Cabinet Infrastructure Committee and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said: “World class infrastructure is vital if we are to build a stronger economy, but it matters in other ways too.

“It invigorates communities and gives people more opportunities to get on in life. This is why I have ensured that this government has prioritised funding roads, and railways, at a high level for future generations.”